GW2: Norn, Pirates, and Roof Tops

     Artaen found himself back in the tavern, probably a bit earlier than he should have, but he's looking for seedy people and seedy people love taverns. He can almost hear Blodwen making some comment about his own seediness. At first he just stood there silent and watching, well listening more than watching so no one would notice him doing it. He ordered two mugs of ale and no one questioned him this time when he put one on the floor for Mr. Fluffins or when Mr. Fluffins lapped up his entire mug's worth of ale. A girl near the bar decided to start a conversation about how strange Norn are. A few others joined in and Artaen waited, and waited, but no Norns said anything. He asked if the girl knew there was a Norn behind her. She said she did, but if the Norn cared, she'd have known before it got that far. He couldn't argue that statement. The girl was most definitely a peasant  but she knew what she was talking about. He knew she was a peasant because she carried a broom like it was a staff. Either that or she was mad, and liked to wear brooms on her back. Or drunk and thought it was her staff. Artaen didn't ask.

((I like how the Norn appears to be looking right at the human speaking about Norns.))

      A man who spoke strangely entered the tavern and kept asking for a doctor, but no one responded. He seemed to think they were ignoring him. Artaen had no responded because he was not the doctor being asked for, but he realized how it might have seemed so he spoke up. Then fearing there was trouble he needed to look into, he decided to ask more questions. The Norn who was not caring to respond to the human broom wielding girl also joined into the conversation with the pirate.

((I love how the Norn's idle makes her look like she's discussing the pirate with Artean in this shot.))

      Artaen not being a doctor didn't think he'd have a good excuse to follow the pirate back to Claypool. He really wanted to though to see if they really were pirates as he suspected and what kind of trouble their captain got into that had one of his men looking for a doctor in the tavern. He wasn't paying full attention, but he's sure the Norn had said something about knowing a doctor, because she was suddenly going to get someone and the pirate was returning to Claypool to wait for her and the aide she'd bring. Artaen let them go as if it were nothing to him.

((The shot above is better, but I threw this one in in case anyone wanted to read a bit of the chat on it. Click to enlarge.))

      He struck up a conversation with the white haired girl back at the bar, Chelwynde. The first conversation was about how he could see through the laces on the sides of her pants and she wasn't wearing under garments. She said only the rich wore those. He didn't offer right way, but the conversation got back around to that later. The conversation changed to the pirate, and she wasn't sure he was one. She then told a story about a pirate who caught her trying to steal his grapes and put them in her chest. Artaen paid full attention to the story of how the pirate tackled her and laid both hands on her chest and she had to twist about to knock him off then plucked his grapes. He's still not sure if they were having the same conversation, and blamed her lack of clothing for the direction his mind kept going. He even told her so out loud and offered to give her a bath because she was dirty.  Blodwen walked up about the time he was offering to show Chelwynde if he was rich or not based on what he was or wasn't wearing under his trousers.

     Done with the tavern and not wanting to just stand there awkwardly between his two white haired beauties  Artaen decided to take a walk. He suggested the ladies join him, but only Blodwen did. Chelwynde seemed to want to finish her milk and despite the conversation he had the feeling she just wasn't that into him. He's not sure Blodwen is either, but he's her secret boss, so she doesn't have as much of a choice. The three of them, Artaen, Blodwen, and Mr. Fluffins decided to go leaping across roof tops again, as is becoming a nightly habit of theirs. It's a good way to catch thieves, or at least make them think you're one of them when you're always being seen doing it. Well, common folk won't look up and notice, but the seedy folk and the seraph will probably notice. Artaen has always enjoyed trying to find high places, especially those that others don't go to often. Mr. Fluffins likes high places as well, and it seems Blodwen does too. He should probably worry about that. What draws a girl to want to pick up necromancy and not mind the dead things made of bone and pulsating flesh? And is it the same thing that compels her to get as far above the normal lives of those around her, or is she just following her mad captain?

     Artaen still hasn't figure out exactly how to infiltrate organized crime, but he at least knows Blodwen will follow him anywhere and they'll probably find enough death along the way to keep her happy.

GW2: Blodwen and Artaen

Artaen and one of his faithful seraph subordinates decided to go check out the city from a certain favorite watch tower of Artaen's that is not easy to get to without a bit of crazy jumping first. He goes there often to look out over the city, but this was the first time he'd brought a girl up there. He's sorta her boss. Alright, he's flat out her boss and commanding officer, but once at the top of the tower, he realized it could be nothing more than a date. A high place, a nice view of the city at night, and pretty girl at his side. Mr. Fluffins agreed. Well, he mewed, but Artaen decided that meant he was agreeing.

Blodwen also must have thought it was a date, because she found a nice spot to sit and stare up at the night sky in a romantic nature. Artaen himself is still often inspired and taken back by the beauty of the city. Lyssa must have a presence in the city for it to be so pretty. 

After the viewing was over Blodwen decided to go run around the statue of Kormir. Artaen did not question her. . . not out loud anyway. He could only assume she was a follower of Kormir and that it was some ritual. She ran around many circles before stopping to sit in a flower bed. Again he didn't question this. She's a necromancer, so she can't be all that sane by default. He decided to join in so he didn't ruin his chances with the pretty girl and had a bit of a lie down in the same flower bed. Then she dumped her strange bony flesh pulsing minion thing on him. He tried not to protest too much, but decided that when she pointed out how bad he smelled now that it was all a trick to get him out of his clothes. He had to oblige such a pretty girl. They went to the tavern -her idea- so he could strip down and wash off in the fountain. Then he put some clothes back on and they went inside to find a room. After a bit of cuddling by the fire, going to bed was mentioned. Artaen thought he was going to get lucky, but then she went and slept in the bed on the other side of the room. Of course if you ask him, he'll coyly avoid the subject so you'll still think he got lucky.

The next morning he woke up alone except for Mr. Fluffins. He went downstairs to ask if a note had been left for him, but one had not. Later when he mentions it to Blodwen she'll respond in such a manner that suggest she doesn't think he bothered to check for a note. He guesses that is why she didn't leave it.